Happy Meals to be made healthier

MCDONALD’S is taking cheeseburgers off its Happy Meals menu, shrinking the side of fries, and reformulating its chocolate milk as part of a global overhaul that aims to make its children’s menu healthier by 2022.

By the end of 2022, at least half of the Happy Meals offered in 120 markets around the world will clock in at no more than 600 calories, with 10% of calories coming from saturated fat, 650mg of sodium, and 10% of calories from added sugar.

Currently, 28% of Happy Meal combinations offered in 20 markets meet these nutrition criterion, McDonald’s says.

Depending on the child’s age, sex and activity level, the average daily recommended calorie intake for children ages four to eight is between 1,200 and 2,000 calories. To reach their goal, markets will add new offerings or reformulate old ones.

In Italy, the newly-introduced Junior Chicken sandwich is made with lean grilled chicken, while markets in France and Australia are developing more vegetable menu items.

In the US, where the strategy will be fasttracked, that means taking the cheeseburger off the Happy Meal menu, and making it available only upon request.

The only options for main entrees will be the hamburger, and four or six-piece Chicken McNuggets.

Happy Meals in the US will also replace small French fries with child-sized portions, which will decrease the number of calories and sodium from the fries by half. Chocolate milk will also be reformulated to reduce the amount of added sugar.

By June, 100% of Happy Meal menu combinations at restaurants across the US will be 600 calories or less, and likewise comply with the new nutritional goals for added sugar and fat. But Happy Meals will fall slightly short of sodium goals, with 78% of kids’ menus meeting the target. – AFP-Relaxnews